Surely, every student and teacher has heard the name “Jackson Szabo” this fall at WKHS. As a freshman here, Szabo has made a tremendous impact on the WKHS Football team this season. While going from last year’s 0-10 record to this year’s regular season record of 4-6 is an accomplishment accredited to the whole team, quarterback Szabo has contributed greatly.
Szabo started playing football at a very young age and began “because of [his] dad. He grew up playing and now it’s his job for a living.” Szabo’s dad, Mike Szabo, is now a College National Scout for the Buffalo Bills. Though his passion rooted from his dad, Jackson Szabo has certainly grown a passion of his own since then, as he shares: “Football has had a big impact off the field with how many people I have met and just the experiences that I have been blessed to have.”
After a completely losing record last year, Szabo is most proud of “winning a playoff game right after an 0-10 season.” Last Friday, the Wolves took down the #2 seed, Walnut Ridge, in a close playoff game. After not even making playoffs last year, this is unusual for the Wolves. Szabo is also proud of “how [himself] and the team have come together and put together a solid season this year.” The change in the team this year is clear from the outside perspective, as the team has been looking significantly more unified and disciplined than in years past.
Aside from a record, in regard to his personal growth this season, Szabo shares, “I have definitely grown as a player / person this season.” He describes the work that he puts in not only during practice, but also in his own time. “As for a person, I think I have grown at being a better leader to the team and coaches,” he adds on.
Moving past this season and looking forward to the future, Szabo has many ambitious goals that he hopes to accomplish at Kilbourne, including “breaking single season passing yards, breaking single season touchdown passes, and breaking the all-time passing yards and touchdowns. . . I want to continue to rewrite Kilbourne’s program by getting better one season at a time.”
The community is already impressed with what Szabo has shown us so far, and he still has 3 more full seasons with WKHS Football. Though ambitious goals, they might just be possible.
The Wolves take on Teays Valley for the 2nd round of the playoffs tonight. Make sure to come out to support Szabo along with the rest of the team that is working to rewrite Kilbourne’s history.
